Steering Through the Shift

As I sit down to reflect on 2025, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking "nothing much has changed." I’m in the same rental house, walking the same hospital corridors, and following the same daily rhythms. But as I look closer at the mosaic of the past twelve months, I realize that while the scenery remained the same, the foundation of my life in the UK grew significantly stronger.

The Milestones: Growth and Generosity

The biggest "win" of the year was finally conquering the UK driving test. It was a long, expensive road, but having that full license in my wallet felt like a true rite of passage. That milestone led directly to another: purchasing our first car. While my wife and I both know that a car is technically a liability rather than an asset, she reminded me that it’s a vital investment in our freedom and quality of life here.

This was also a year of digital "upgrades." I taught myself to build my own portfolio website, drzaw.uk, using Hostinger — a project that gave me a sense of creative control outside the clinical world. We also had to navigate the sudden "death" of both our laptops, which was a financial sting but a necessary refresh for our work and studies.

Most importantly, 2025 was a year where I felt more connected to my roots and my spirit. In November, we were able to send rice bags to people facing crisis back home in Myanmar. In December, I spent time at the Tisarana Vihara monastery in London, taking the nine precepts, meditating, and helping prepare food for the community. These moments of dāna (generosity) and mindfulness provided a much-needed sanctuary from the fast-paced NHS life, especially as I welcomed new Burmese friends and colleagues to our town.

The Challenges: Taxes and Tests

It wasn’t all smooth sailing. I faced the "HMRC nightmare"—a letter informing me of a £2,000 tax debt that felt like a heavy blow to our savings (see my previous post: "You have paid too little tax" here). Combined with the new monthly car loan payments, our budget has become tighter than ever, demanding a level of financial discipline I’m still perfecting.

On the career front, the MSRA (Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment) didn't go as planned. My score wasn't high enough to secure a GP training spot this time around. While it felt like a failure in the moment, it forced me to pivot. I’ve now turned my focus back to the MRCP (Membership of the Royal College of Physicians), joining many of my peers on the path to internal medicine. Sometimes, a closed door simply points you toward a different, perhaps more fitting, hallway.

Looking Ahead: My 2026 Blueprint

If 2025 was about building the foundation, 2026 will be about the structure. I’ve set clear, ambitious goals to keep me moving forward.

Career & Academics: The focus is now squarely on the MRCP. My goal is to pass Part 1 and, hopefully, Part 2 by the end of the year. I am also aiming to contribute to the wider medical community by publishing a paper in a PubMed-indexed journal and presenting a poster at an international conference.

Personal Wellbeing: Medicine is a marathon, and I need to maintain my engine. I’m committing to 30-minute daily meditation sessions and a more consistent exercise routine. Most importantly, I want to be a better pillar of support for my wife, ensuring she has the emotional help she needs as we navigate this journey together. And, if all goes well, a trip to Thailand, specifically Chiang Mai, to see my parents is at the very top of my heart’s agenda.

2025 didn't change my address, but it changed my perspective. I’m entering 2026 with a renewed visa, a stable job, and a clear vision of where I want to go next.

Wish you all a "HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR"!